Why Arizona State's Kenny Dillingham Has Extra Motivation Vs. Kansas State Wildcats

Five years ago, Arizona State Sun Devils coach Kenny Dillingham had his eye one particular quarterback during the recruiting process. 

His name was Avery Johnson. 

Dillingham gave maximum effort to land Johnson but it never happened. After a standout career at Maize (Kan.) High School, he chose to continue his playing career for the Kansas State Wildcats. 

The Wildcats and Sun Devils meet this weekend in Big 12 conference play. So, naturally, Dillingham had to bring up Johnson during his weekly press conference. 

He basically said first-year Kansas State coach Collin Klein is why he was unable to have any success in recruiting Johnson. Dillingham also said Johnson is arguably playing the best football of his collegiate career. 

Dillingham just may be correct. 

Some would say Johnson is on pace for his best season at Kansas State. He is coming off a huge game last week against the Kansas Jayhawks in the Sunflower Showdown at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. 

He completed 14 of 24 passes for 209 yards and a touchdown. He also had 132 yards rushing on 12 carries in the 35-24 victory against the Jayhawks. Now, Johnson is attempting to end his career on a positive. 

While he does have an option to return for a fifth season, this could be his final year as a college athlete. He is in the middle of his third year as the full-time starter. By the time it's over, his name will be all over the record book at Kansas State. 

LATEST UPDATE ON INJURED TIGHT END 

The Wildcats are expected to once again be without one of their key offensive players this weekend on the road against the Arizona State Sun Devils. 

Klein hinted that tight end Garrett Oakley could miss the third game of the Big 12 conference schedule. Oakley did not play in last week's game against the Jayhawks. 

Here's what Klein had to say during his weekly press conference about the Oakley situation. 

"Probably unlikely, but we'll see," Klein said. "Day to day."

Oakley missed the game because of an undisclosed illness. It gave more opportunities to sophomore Linkon Cure, who is among the most hyped players in program history. He is the first five-star recruit to ever play at Kansas State. 

The Wildcats need production from Cure because Oakley isn't the only tight end missing. Two weeks ago, it was announced that backup Will Anciaux would miss the season after sustaining a lower leg injury. 

Klein is also experimenting with moving left tackle Oliver Miller to tight end. That's where he played last week in the win against the Jayhawks.